This is the second solo album from Pavlov’s Dog singer David Surkamp, coming some 6 years after his first.  

Pavlov’s Dog issued their debut album an incredible 33 years ago and their totally unique sound was based largely on Surkamp’s amazing falsetto singing voice. Rumours spread that he in fact ingested helium to aid that sound and given that no-one heard from him for 17 years, many suggested that this had led to his untimely demise 

Nothing could be further from the truth thankfully and 2007 sees him alive and well and issuing brand new material.

Of course the trademark falsetto is still very much in evidence, but the songs have a slightly more modern feel to them, in part due to the more contemporary production. You would still probably label them as prog rock/pop, but I do not feel they are as immediate or catchy as the majority of the earlier work, particularly that on Lost In America.

Of the three releases I have reviewed, this is definitely my least favourite and the falsetto voice that I had quite warmed to previously is now grating somewhat. Mostly however, I just don’t feel that the new material is as strong as the older tunes and ultimately that is what is letting the album down in my opinion. I do not think that any of the songs on this new release would have made it onto Lost In America and whilst I can understand that Surkamp has moved on from that era, I don’t think the quality of his songwriting has accompanied him on the journey unfortunately.

As a related aside, I would urge you to read the reviews of the re-released third and fourth albums by the band for some bizarre and almost surreal stories that add to the mystical legend about both man and band. Interesting stuff indeed.

Let us know your views on Dancing On The Edge of A Teacup

Track Listing

Looking For My Shadow
Hard Again
Losing My Piano
Highlife Bunting
Wrong
Ghost Barres
Life In Imperfect Times
One Of These Days

Line Up

David Surkamp – Vocals/Guitar/Bass
“Bongo” Billy Costello – Drums/Keyboards/
Sara Surkamp – Vocals/Keyboards